Xavi Simons to Tottenham transfer and the two ways Thomas Frank can line up with £51.8m signing

Thomas Frank is set to be handed a major boost in the transfer market with Tottenham set to confirm the signing of Xavi Simons. The 22-year-old is in line to make the move from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £51.8million.

Tottenham have endured some misery in the summer window but the addition of the Netherlands international will be a huge coup for them. Coming through Barcelona's system and later joining Paris Saint-Germain, Simons headed to PSV in the summer of 2022 and wowed for the Dutch club as he contributed 22 goals and 11 assists in his 48 appearances.

Returning to Paris 12 months later due to a buy-back clause in his deal, Simons initially joined RB Leipzig on loan before making the move permanent. Always looking on course to depart Red Bull Arena this summer with a potential switch to Chelsea in the pipeline, it is instead Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he will be playing his football on a permanent basis after Spurs made a late move for his signature.

Simons helps Tottenham out when it comes to the troublesome No.10 position right now and he can also play from either flank if required. Spurs fans may have to remain patient when it comes to seeing the Amsterdam-born player in action for the very first time as the first international break of the season takes place after Tottenham's home encounter against Bournemouth this weekend.

The Lilywhites return to domestic action on Saturday, September 13 with an away clash at West Ham, before then hosting Brighton & Hove Albion seven days later. So how exactly could Tottenham line up with Simons in the team? football.london takes a look below:

4-2-3-1

Tottenham have used a 4-2-3-1 formation in the Premier League this season and it has brought great success so far after victories over Burnley and Manchester City. In this system, Pape Matar Sarr has played as the No.10 in wake of James Maddison's ACL injury that has seen the ex-Leicester City man join Dejan Kulusevski in the treatment room.

Sarr has excelled in the role and has been one of Tottenham's standout players under Frank so far. However, he may be the player most at risk with Simons coming in as the Dutchman would likely take the No.10 role.

The only other option would be for Sarr to continue at No.10 and Simons shifts across to the left in place of Brennan Johnson. Simons' versatility does give Frank plenty of options.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur; Kudus, Simons, Johnson; Richarlison.

4-3-3

A 4-3-3 formation was another popular choice of Frank at Brentford last season. In this system, Sarr would keep his place in the team and instead play alongside Rodrigo Bentancur and Joao Palhinha.

Given what he can bring to the side in an attacking sense, the Senegal international would still have the opportunity to push on and try and influence things in the final third. In a front three for Tottenham, Simons would be deployed from the left.

He's certainly no stranger to this role as that's where the majority of his appearances in the senior game have come from. Simons can also play from the right if required.

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence; Palhinha, Bentancur, Sarr; Kudus, Richarlison, Simons.

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